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MichiganGreat Lake, 14,270,336 acres

Lake Michigan wind forecast

Lake Michigan, Michigan
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.

  1. TodayOct 26

    16-19kt

    NNE, gusts 24

    High 54°F, rain 5%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    13-15kt

    SE, gusts 19

    High 58°F, rain 3%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    14-15kt

    S, gusts 20

    High 60°F, rain 2%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    7-16kt

    SW, gusts 19

    High 59°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    8-10kt

    N, gusts 12

    High 58°F, rain 16%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    12-13kt

    SSE, gusts 16

    High 58°F, rain 28%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    10-12kt

    S, gusts 15

    High 58°F, rain 38%

    Good

Hour by hour, next 3 days

Wind and gusts0 to 30+ ktScoreGood, caution, stay ashoreNightBest windowArrows point where the wind blows to.

This week on Michigan

Over the next 7 days on Lake Michigan, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 24 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 10 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Friday looks best for kayaks and paddleboards. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Thursday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.

Reading a lake wind forecast

Sustained wind is the average over a couple of minutes; gusts are the short peaks. On inland water the gap between the two matters as much as the average. A steady 12 kt is a pleasant sail, while 8 kt gusting 20 kt knocks small boats flat and tires out paddlers.

Lake Michigan is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.

The National Weather Service forecast covers a 2.5 km grid, so local effects like a sea breeze off a big lake, a cold front or afternoon thunderstorms can arrive earlier or stronger than shown. Check the forecast again on the morning you go, and keep an eye on small craft advisories.

Lake Michigan forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Michigan this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 12 to 13 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 58°F. Sunday: S wind 10 to 12 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 58°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Lake Michigan this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 13 to 15 kt and gusts near 19 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Lake Michigan wind forecast come from?

From the National Weather Service gridded forecast for the 2.5 km cell over the lake. It is the same forecast local NWS offices use, updated several times a day. We convert wind to knots and add our own go or no-go call for each activity.

What wind is too strong for a kayak or paddleboard?

We flag paddling as risky once sustained wind passes about 8 kt or gusts pass 12 kt, and advise staying ashore above 12 kt sustained or 18 kt gusts. Offshore wind is the most dangerous because it pushes you away from the launch.

Nearby lakes

If Michigan is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.